Here are some other red flags that will help to differentiate a real THC cartridge from a fake one: If you can taste it, throw it out. Any THC cartridge that has a burnt flavor, a metal aftertaste, or that makes you cringe is a good sign that the cartridge is counterfeit.
Full Answer
How can you tell if a THC cartridge is real?
Simply compare the serial number on the package to the one on the product's website. If the numbers don’t match, the cartridge is fake. Fake THC cartridges often contain ingredients that have not been investigated and deemed as safe for human consumption.
Are THC vape cartridges fake?
But be aware – some fake THC cartridges have been designed to look like legit THC brands and cartridges. To help, check out a few of the well-known fake THC vape cart brands and common counterfeits to avoid, below-
How do THC vape cartridges work?
As you can probably surmise from the picture (unless you’re really stoned, in which case, right on!), you first attach the THC cartridge to the vaporizer (usually by screwing it on). When you’re ready to fly, you press a button on the vaporizer and a small battery heats a coil.
Can TSA Test for THC in a vape cartridge?
TSA doesn't care if your vape cartridge has THC. TSA is there to stop bad people from hurting good people flying in airplanes. No idea, I doubt they would have any kind of “testing” available. Here is what I do. I put the cartridge in one bag, I put my pen in another. I have not had any issues flying to date using this method.
How do I know if my vape cartridge is THC?
Any THC cartridge that has a burnt flavor, a metal aftertaste, or that makes you cringe is a good sign that the cartridge is counterfeit. These “off-flavors” should not be present and may indicate that it has contaminants or other additives that are causing a bad reaction when heated up into vapor.
What color should THC carts be?
light yellowIn most cases, the best color for cartridge oil is a transparent hue of light yellow or amber color, close to the shades of lemonade to honey. Some vape oils, particularly delta 8 THC cartridges, are as clear and colorless as water.
What should I look for in a THC cartridge?
The most important element in choosing a vape cartridge is to ensure that you have a compatible battery that works with it. This won't be a problem for disposable vapes, which can simply be used and discarded. But for 510 thread cartridges and device-specific cartridges, a compatible device is a necessity.
Do fake carts have THC in them?
Today, experts are investigating vitamin E acetate as a possible cause for many vaping illnesses and deaths. Also, be aware that real vape carts typically contain THC levels of 70-90%. Anything lower than 60% has likely been cut with some type of agent, and anything above 99% would be considered suspect, too.
What happens if you smoke a fake cartridge?
Lab testing of Pirzada's patient's cartridge revealed that it tested positive for not just THC, but also vitamin E. If inhaled, oils like Vitamin E can cause lipoid pneumonitis, a rare condition that results from fat particles being inhaled into the lungs, says Pirzada.
How can you tell if distillate is real?
High quality distillate should be fully translucent and not cloudy in any way. If you can look through your distillate and clearly see what's on the other side, then it's usually safe to say you are dealing with a product that has minimal lipids, waxes or impurities.
Is a cart fake if the bubble moves?
If the liquid moves very quickly, it is probably a fake. This is also the case if there is a bubble that moves to the top when you turn the cartridge upside down. In genuine cartridges, the bubble will remain still. Fourthly, if the vape cartridge seems incredibly cheap and too good to be true, it absolutely is!
What to look for in THC?
Official THC products will have the following information: One of the biggest things to look for is a packaging icon. These icons are mandatory icons that the state requires each package to have printed on it. If the brand has a QR code printed on the package, use it for further proof.
What does it mean when a THC cartridge is counterfeit?
Any THC cartridge that has a burnt flavor, a metal aftertaste, or that makes you cringe is a good sign that the cartridge is counterfeit. These “off-flavors” should not be present and may indicate that it has contaminants or other additives that are causing a bad reaction when heated up into vapor.
Why is Vitamin E acetate bad for vaping?
Vitamin E acetate is currently being investigated as one of the prime reasons for vape causing illnesses and deaths. Another ingredient-based clue is if the cartridge contains anything less than 60% THC. Any package that contains less than 60% THC is most likely laced with other harmful ingredients which makes that cartridge harmful and fake.
What is the thickener in vape cartridges?
For example, a thickener called Vitamin E acetate is an ingredient that is predominantly found in fake products as it is cheaper to make, yet results in the same oil consistency that legit cartridges have. Vitamin E acetate is currently being investigated as one of the prime reasons for vape causing illnesses and deaths.
How much does a THC cartridge cost?
THC products are not particularly cheap, so if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Legitimate THC cartridges usually start at around $80 per cartridge, so any cartridge being sold that is significantly less than $80 is usually a huge red flag pointing towards counterfeit.
Is it safe to buy a THC cartridge online?
If you are purchasing a THC cartridge online, then make sure that the company you are buying from is verified. If the company is not a verified brand, then the cartridge has not been approved as a safe product. Be aware of pricing.
Is THC a fake?
It’s been all over the news, making headlines as a growing number of individuals have experienced illness and even death as a result of the THC cartridges that are designed to look legitimate, but are actually fake. These contaminated cartridges are generally bought online and sold for much cheaper than authentic THC cartridges.
What is a THC cartridge?
That’s where the THC cartridge came in. A THC cartridge is a pre-filled, disposable container filled with your favorite strain of THC oil. Once the oil in the THC cartridge reaches a certain temperature, it vaporizes. You can then inhale to your heart’s content without worrying about the adverse effects of smoke in your lungs.
What is a vape pen?
Those MacGyvered electronic cigarettes caught on quickly and are now known as vape pens.
What is the best way to get marijuana into your system?
Sure, pills, dissolvable strips, tinctures, and creams are probably the easiest methods of getting marijuana into your system, but vaporizers and THC cartridges are, at the very least, close to the top of the list.
What does temperature reduction do to marijuana?
This temperature reduction preserves many of the active ingredients in marijuana — the stuff that gets you high and makes you feel good — that would otherwise be destroyed when you burn your cannabis. Think of it this way: a flame is pretty much only one temperature.
Is THC cartridge expensive?
When compared to other types of extracts, THC cartridges can be expensive. But you’re also paying for the convenience, portability, and discretion. That’s worth a few extra bucks, isn’t it?
Do CBD vaporizers burn?
As a result, you get more “bang for your buck” — or perhaps “cannabinoids for your cash” — because the THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, and others don’t get burned away.
Can THC be changed into a gas?
But — and here’s the kicker — cannabinoids can be changed into a gas at much lower temperatures (around 284℉). All that extra heat is just destroying a large portion of the cannabinoids and terpenes you’re trying to get into your system. That’s where the THC vape pens come in.
What is the CDC warning about e-cigarettes?
In fact, the CDC in 2019 issued a warning to e-cigarette users about an outbreak of lung injuries associated with both fake THC vape products and nicotine products. Nicknamed EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury), this unfortunate outbreak has brought the risks of using unregulated cannabis products to the forefront.
Is cannabis oil thick or thin?
Also, quality cannabis oils tend to be thick with a strong, clear gold color; avoid oils that appear to be watery thin, artificially colored, or very dark. Propylene glycol is a preservative that’s FDA approved for foods and other products; however, it’s known to cause headaches and other symptoms when inhaled.
Does a vape cart have THC?
Any legal vape cart sold at a dispensary is required to have a label showing the total amount of THC. Some dispensaries also provide total terpenes, cannabinoids, as well as a statement letting consumers know that no Vitamin E acetate was found.
How to know if a THC cartridge is real?
First things first - check the packaging. Most real THC cartridges will include a manufacturing date, packaging date, batch or lot number. Ensuring it’s journey through the licensing process to become a ‘real’ THC cartridge for legal sale. Also, check the spelling and grammar used on the label.
What is a fake THC cartridge?
What Are Fake THC Cartridges? Simply put, fake THC cartridges are distilled oils disguised as pure forms of THC that have avoided the legal markets. Or basically, fake THC cartridges that are sold on the black market – similar to fake luxury purses or goods. But, these fake goods can come with an unhealthy cost.
What is the name of the fungicide that is found in fake THC cartridges?
In a recent study, NBC news found that 10 out of 10 fake THC cartridge products contained hydrogen cyanide. Hydrogen cyanide can also be formed from a fungicide that is present in many fake THC cartridges - myclobutanil. This fungicide upon burning, transforms into hydrogen cyanide, too.
What is real THC?
Real THC cartridges are made with extracted cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids from all-natural marijuana plants. To mimic the real taste, or effects of quality made and pure THC cartridges – fake THC cartridge manufacturers are using whatever they can, no matter how dangerous.
Can fake THC cartridges be harmful?
Contaminants, metals and pesticides that are used to make fake THC cartridges are onsetting real and damaging effects.
Is THC oil slow moving?
Avoid sales of fake THC cartridges on web sites like Ebay, Amazon, etc. Upon flipping your cart upside down, Real THC oil in cartridges will be thick and slow-moving. Fake THC oil cartridges are typically filled with fast moving oil.
Can you put a THC logo on a THC label?
Also, check the spelling and grammar used on the label. Often, there are misspellings or grammatical errors found on many fake THC cartridges packaging. Most states also require a state-licensed icon or logo, ensuring that the THC cartridge has been vetted and approved as a legal retail product. But these logos can be added to any packaging - even ...
Why is cannabis used in vaping?
Because cannabis is used by so many as a tool to find relief, healing, and comfort, it holds a high potential for malicious abuse. More recently, such abuse comes in the form of fake THC cartridges. In fact, the vaping market shows signs of increasing amounts of counterfeit cartridges—not less—and the implications are massive.
What are fake penpens filled with?
The fake pens are many times filled with pesticides, heavy metals, and other contaminants that the human body does not jive with. None of those things equates to proper, clean, and natural treatment. In June of 2019, California reported a string of hospitalizations related to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, or ARDS.
Do pop up shops have to test vape pens?
Pop-up shops, the report said, don’t require their products to go through any form of testing, testing that could prevent the sales of contaminated pens. California wasn’t the only state that issued a warning against bad vape pens.
Is vaping a serious illness?
Vaping cannabis (and nicotine) is at an all-time high in popularity, and without further rigorous testing more issues are bound to arise. It’s not only serious illnesses that are becoming more common.
Is marijuana counterfeit?
If someone is selling them in a state where marijuana is not legal, it’s best to assume that they are counterfeit. Further, a good rule of thumb is to compare what a cartridge looks like to photos on a manufacturer’s official social media page or website. If anything looks off, move on.
Do manufacturers have labels on their products?
Manufacturers will have labels on their product. Many—if not all—times, too, lab results are clear and visible. QR codes are becoming common as well, so if the product has one, scan it. It takes a few seconds but can save hours or days in the hospital. If you must purchase your cartridge illegally, take precautions.
Can I buy a vape pen from a shop?
For starters, don’t buy your vape pens from unlicensed dealers, sellers, retailers, or pop-ups. The best way to ensure quality and buyer confidence is to go through a licensed cannabis seller. Shops will carry products that are tested because they are legally required to in order to sell them in the first place.
What is a vape cartridge?
Vaping refers to inhaling a vapor that comes out of an electronic vaping device. It is similar to a cigarette and is sometimes also referred to as e-cigarettes or e-hookahs. A vape cartridge is made out of glass or plastic and is pre-filled with a oil or juice for vaping purposes. It is inserted inside a vaping device to help create the vapor.
How does a vape cartridge work?
Vape cartridges are like small and thin re-fills in a cylindrical design. As soon as the vape device turns on, the oil inside the cartridge heats up and releases ingredients that are then inhaled by you when you are vaping. Once you inhale those ingredients, you end up exhaling the smoke.
Does a vape cartridge have any benefits?
Vape cartridges are easy to use compared to other methods. Even if you are new to vaping or have never used a vape cartridge, you will figure out things quickly. For using a vape cartridge, you must insert the cartridge in the correct vaping device and then press a button to inhale.
How to know when the vape cartridge is empty?
Here are a few tips that will help you to figure out if you have empty vape cartridge oil. Have a look at the information below.
Additional Tips
One of the best ways to be sure about empty vape cartridge oil is to learn how it feels when it is full. For example, when a vape cartridge is full, it feels heavy in your hand, and you will also be able to hear the sloshing of the liquid when you place the cartridge near your ear.
